I got so caught up in exciting travels and dedicating my devotional composition time to youth group activities that I neglected to keep my inspirational blog up-to-date. So, here I am, back again with a new entry!

I was looking through some of my photos from a hike I took earlier this year and found this picture of a small iceberg floating in the bay. When I took this picture, I was reminded that the ice we see at the surface is only a small portion of what is truly there. As was the case with the Titanic disaster, this seemingly-small iceberg the liner approached that night 99 years ago was much larger and what was unseen caused the ship's demise. Only 10 percent of a piece of floating ice is above the surface. The rest is below the surface, out of sight.

People's hearts and feelings can be the same way. On the surface, we may appear happy and cheerful, but does it always match the way we are deep down inside? I challenge you today to not be a metaphorical iceberg

We are a masterpiece in God's eyes

Though some people often look or sound similar, we are each truly unique, created by God for a specific purpose. Even identical twins have their own individual, unique characteristics. I was walking through an arboretum today and noticed that though each group of plants were labeled as belonging to a specific family, each possessed slightly different patterns, markings and characteristics that made it truly one-of-a-kind.

Though we all have characteristics that set us apart from one another, be it height, ear shapes, eye color, or the occasional extra toe, we are masterpieces in God's eyes. Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)

Have a blessed week!

We are God's Jewels

The other morning, I stepped outside into a spectacular wintry scene - everything was coated in a heavy frost that sparkled in the rising sun. It was almost as if the landscape were covered in diamonds.

I was reminded of God's covenant with us, that we are His jewels. Malachi 3:17 says "And they shall be mine, said the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him."

We are the jewels in God's crown - He created each and every one of us to be part of His Kingdom. We have been granted the free will to choose whether we to be a part of that. I choose to be a diamond in His crown - will you?

Be grateful!

We are intended to be gracious, and grateful, sons and daughters of God.

There is nothing like receiving a handwritten thank you note in the mail for a kind deed. Over the years, I have attended my share of birthday parties, Christmas gift exchanges, graduation open houses and weddings. Though there is unselfish joy in giving gifts at all of these gatherings, there is added joy in knowing those gifts make a positive difference in their lives.


A true giver gives without thought or want of reciprocation, but it is human nature, and frankly, an act of politeness to acknowledge gifts with a written expression or gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV).

Traditionally, thank you notes are one of the things that light up a soul and perhaps the front of a refrigerator for days or weeks after it is received. And in my experiences in life, it is something that is becoming more and more rare.

I am reminded of Luke 17:11-19 where Jesus healed 10 men afflicted with Leprosy, but only one thanked Him.

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance
13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
(copyright New International Version)

I urge everyone today - be thankful always and show it, tell it, each and every time, and you will be blessed beyond measure.

The sun is coming up, and things will get better!

My main connection to worship is through music. Often, I am reminded of God's grace, love and mercy through the words sung by contemporary Christian music artists. A recent song has hit close to home recently.

We often become discouraged when going through life's rough spots and wonder if God really cares. There is an illustration of which I am reminded when I go through those valleys. Gold and silver in its raw form is dull, unattractive and full of impurities. Only after being heated are the impurities removed and the metal emerges, shiny and refined.

We cannot always see why we are going through rough situations. Sometimes we have to go through heartache and trying times to see that it is for our own good. Romans 8:28 says that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (NIV)

As Josh Wilson sings in his 2010 song, "Before The Morning," the hurts and hangups we experience are part of the refining process, and that the glory to come is well-worth the pain. "It's just the dark before the morning..."

We are loved by God!

In the song, "More," Matthew West tells us of God's infinite love for us, that His love for you and me is more than the stars in the heavens:

"I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too..." - Matthew West

In Ephesians 3:17-19, the Bible tells us this about His love for us that surpasses all understanding:

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God."

How awesome is that?

I hope you will find that my photos and accompanying devotions will serve to encourage and inspire you in the coming months.